Northern State alum, Hollywood actor dies

November 14, 2007|From staff reports

Floyd Red Crow Westerman had music career, roles in 'Northern Exposure,' 'Dances With Wolves' Northern State University president Patrick Schloss announced that NSU alum and Native American musician, actor and activist Floyd Red Crow Westerman passed away last week after battling leukemia. Westerman is known to many for his work in front of the camera. His television roles included Uncle Ray on “Walker, Texas Ranger,” One Who Waits on “Northern Exposure” and Albert Hosteen on the “X-Files.” Born on the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Reservation in 1936, Westerman was sent to the Wahpeton Boarding School at the age of 10. Following boarding school, he attended Northern State, graduating with a secondary education degree. President Schloss noted that "Mr. Westerman was very proud of the secondary education degree he received in 1964 from Northern State. In 1993 he was named Distinguished Alum at NSU. He touched many lives through a rich and diverse career and left a bold footprint at Northern State." Before his entrance in films and television, Westerman had established a solid reputation as a country-western music singer. “His recordings offer a probing analysis of European influences in Native American communities,” according to a news release from Northern. In addition to several recordings of his own, Westerman collaborated with Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, Kris Kristofferson and Buffy Sainte-Marie. His final album, released in 2006, was a tribute to his friend Johnny Cash. Beyond television credits, Westerman was a leading actor depicting Native Americans in American films and television. Film appearances include the role of the Shaman for Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's “The Doors” and as Ten Bears in “Dances with Wolves.” Westerman debuted in “Renegades,” in which he played Red Crow, the Lakota Sioux father of Lou Diamond Phillips. Westerman also appeared as Standing Elk alongside his longtime friend Max Gail in the 2006 family film, “Tillamook Treasure.” He also played the Chief in Buffalo Bill's circus in “Hidalgo.” Westerman was a recognized political advocate for Native American causes, working at times with the American Indian Movement. In 2000, American Indian Expo named Westerman celebrity of the year.